He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

The Crowning

"Are you seriously still sleeping?" I slowly open my eyes as a pillow comes flying at me. "Wake up. Kayden said he told you I was picking you up at noon. We have a meeting with the wedding planner in thirty minutes" Cameron says as I sit up.

Cameron has been my best friend since I was five. Well besides Kayden. Us three are always together. She's more like a sister to me than a friend. We do everything together. She is the exact opposite of me. Shes tall, very skinny, short black hair that she keeps in a bob, pale and her facial features are perfect. She looks like somebody painted her out of their dreams. I have always envied her look.

When we were all three out together in public everybody always thought that Kayden and Cameron were together and I was the third wheel. They do look perfect together. And they do seem to have chemistry. But I accredit that to the fact that we've all been together since childhood. And I know Kayden loves me so I am never jealous of them. They are both the only people I've ever had besides my dad and I know I can trust them both.

Suddenly, realization hits me and I jump up out of bed. "Thirty minutes? What am I going to wear?" I run over to the bathroom and as I'm almost to the door Cameron holds out an outfit she has already picked out. I grab it and race into the bathroom to get ready. "She always seems to think of everything." Silver says as I finish brushing my hair. And walk out of the bathroom. "Ok I'm ready. Let's do this."

We step outside and jump into her jeep. She races to the wedding planners office while the music is blaring. We sing along at the top of our lungs. We pull in to the parking lot and she turns the music down. "Are you excited?" She asks. "Oh my goddess yes. And the best part is I already know everything I want. I have been secretly planning this wedding since I was 10. I know everything down to the coasters of what I want. So this shouldn't take long."

Cameron gives me a tight smile. "Alright then let's do this." "She doesn't seem to happy today." Silver speaks up. "Is everything ok Cam?" I ask her. She is usually so cheery but for some reason today I get an odd feeling from her. "Yeah perfect. I'm just a little tired that's all. Come on. Let's get this show on the road." With that she gives me a wider smile and we head into the office.

We step up to the secretary and let her know that we are here. A moment later a short, chubby lady walks out of the office. "My, my, the queen has finally arrived to plan her day." She says so full of life and quickly steps to us. She grabs Cameron's hand and starts shaking it. "Its a pleasure to meet you Ms. Starr." Cameron looks taken aback. " Um, excuse me but I'm Ms. Starr." I say sticking my hand out. Cameron blushes and steps back as the lady, that looks shocked, recovers and takes my hand.

"Of coarse. My apologies. I'm Mrs. Crump and I am going to make all your dreams come true for your big day." "I'm sure you will ma'am. I already know everything that I want so shall we get started." Mrs. Crump narrows her eyes at me like she's trying to size me up. "Follow me." She states as she turns back towards her office. We follow behind and Cameron stays a step behind me.

"Have a seat. Now what are you thinking for your big day." Mrs Crump says and she flips open her laptop and gets ready to start typing. And that's when I list out the details of my big day. Like I said I have been planning this for years.

"First off we will be getting married at the clearing by the waterfall. We will have a white lattice arch with pink roses around it. There will be white chairs with pink bows and in the aisle will be pink rose petals scattered. There will be twinkling lights it the trees around the clearing." She is typing away looking interested so I continue. "I already have my dress. Cake will be four tier chocolate with vanilla icing. I want pink roses down one side. The food will be non existent. This is a kings wedding and we all know that they only have drinks. If you know what I mean." She nods as response. "The reception will also be in the clearing. We will have a DJ, no band. I have a list of songs ready." I pull it out of my purse and slide it along the desk to her and continue. "Each table will be white with three tier candles in the center with pink roses scattered around the base of the candles. That is all that matters to me. Any other questions can be directed to Cameron." I say nodding towards my best friend.

Mrs Crump looks up shocked. "Well, spoken like a true queen. Straight to business, you know what you want, and are already delegating. I love it." Hearing that my smile shines bright. It makes me feel good to get a compliment like that. "Alright then I will handle everything. Looks like you only needed a week to plan not a year." She chuckles. "Trust me I have been planning for a while." I say as I shake her hand. "I will see you at your wedding." She says and we walk out of her office.

We get into Cams jeep and she pulls out of the parking lot. "So what is next on the agenda?" I ask her. "Well honestly I don't know." She let's out a laugh. "I thought this would take all day." "Now, you know me better that that." I chuckle. We end up going to the mall and spending the rest of the day shopping and talking and having a blast.

Once we are done shopping we head back to my house and just hang out. We have a great night and she heads for home. As I lay in bed I am super happy that I was able to talk to the wedding planner and get everything situated in the matter of minutes. Now I dont have to worry and get to spend the whole year care free and with my mate. But something is nagging at me and I dont know how to fix it. Everytime I think about the wedding I keep seeing those stormy gray eyes. I can't get them out of my head. And for some reason every time I see them in my head Silver starts to purr.

•Two months later•

The last two months flew by in the blink of an eye. In two hours it is Kaydens 16th birthday party. The day that he will announce me as his mate. I'm so excited. I haven't been able to see him all day. I was instructed yesterday that he is not to see his mate until the reveal. So I have been anxious all day.

Me and Cameron are currently getting ready in my room. She is finishing curling my hair as I look at myself in the mirror. "Tonight is going to be so fun." I say looking in the mirror at Cam. "Yeah it is." She says as she snaps out of whatever thought she was having.

"Is everything ok Cam? You seem out of it." I ask her worried. "Oh yeah. Everything's great. I'm just thinking how your going to get everything you've ever wanted and be happy with Kayden." She says with a far off look. "I just wish that it was me getting to be with my mate." I get up from the chair and turn around and give her a hug. "You will find your mate. And when you do you will live your fantasy and dont let nothing and nobody stand in your way."

At that she wipes her tear away and looks at me. "We need to get going. You look great." I turn and look in the mirror. I am wearing a floor length black dress with a slit in the side. It shows all my curves and I know Kayden will love it. I nod in approval and turn around to see Cam has already walked out the room.

"Something is wrong with Cam. I just cant figure out what it is yet." Silver says. "Do you ever feel like everything is a puzzle and for some reason we never can find the final piece?" I agree with her and walk out to find Cam waiting at the door. We walk out together to be greeted by a limo waiting. We hop in and drive off to the party.

We walk into the backyard and start to dance. This party is so much fun. Everybody is dancing and laughing. Everybody is mingling and having a great time. Cameron was starting to loosen up and lighten up when the music stopped. We all looked at the stage as the King and Queen walk out to the microphone.

"Thank you all for coming. Tonight is Prince Kaydens 16th birthday. Not only that but tonight is a special night. Tonight Prince Kayden will announce his mate. Your future Queen. And unfortunately it is also the night that I will be stepping back as your king. And Kayden will be stepping up to take my place. He may be young but he is wise. And with his queen by his side he will be able to accomplish greatness." With that everybody starts to clap and cheer. "So without farther ado. Your new king. King Kayden."

Everybody is clapping and hollering. Me and Cameron are in the front of everybody right at the stage. Kayden walks out and takes the mic. "Thank you all. I am happy to be able to serve you all as your King. I promise to be fair and just." We all start to cheer. "And let me please introduce you to my mate and your Queen." His eyes glaze over the crowd and I see him look at me and Cameron. "Mate." He says with a dazed look on his face.

He slowly steps off the stage and walks towards us not letting his eyes drift from us. As he gets closer I see that his face is so full of love and he seems mesmerized. Oh goddess you are so beautiful." I throw my arms around his neck and hug him tightly. I know that I look like a fool right now. I have the biggest smile on my face and I know I'm blushing as the whole coven is there looking at us. I look up at him and he is shaking his head likes he's trying to clear the haze he's in.

He grabs my hand and we head back towards the stage. I look down into the crowd to see Cameron but shes not where we were standing anymore. I look around wondering where she went as I spot her running towards the edge of the house. She looks back towards us and I can see that she has tears streaming down her face. She sees that I'm looking at her and takes off around the house. I look up at Kayden and see that he is staring where Cameron disappeared also. His face is set in worry so I know he saw her as well.

Just then the king and queen step up next to us. "What did I tell you guys. I knew you would be together forever." His stepmother says with the biggest smile I had ever seen on her. I have never really liked his stepmother. I cant really explain why. I just feel very uneasy around her. I give her a slight smile. Kayden releases my hand as his father turns towards the middle of the stage and he follows.

Kayden kneels down in front if his father. "Kayden, do you promise to rule without prejudice and be fair to all the vampire species?" He questions. "I do." He answers. "And do you swear to do everything in your power to protect the vampire species from anything or anyone who tries to do it harm?" "I do." He responded again and bows his head. His father reaches up and takes the crown from his head. "With that I now announce you as King Vampire." He sets the crown on Kaydens head and everybody starts to go crazy.

He stands up and bows to his father and stepmother who is now by his fathers side with a smug look on her face. He says something to his father and steps over to me. "Did you see Cam?" He asks. "Yeah. I dont know what happened. She was perfectly fine right before you came out. We were joking and laughing. Then I turn around and seen her running away crying. I dont know what happened." I say with a little worry for my best friend.

"Can you please find her and make sure shes ok?" He asks with so much care in his voice. "Well of coarse my King." I say jokingly. I lean up to give him a kiss when at the last second he turns his head towards his father and I end up kissing his cheek. "I will find you later. I have to speak with my father about some private royal matters." He says and quickly steps away to his father.

I watch as they both head towards the backdoor of the house and step inside. I'm standing there dumb founded as Silver speaks up. "What and the hell was all that. Two minutes as king and he's blowing us off. And what the hell was that with the kiss?" She is fuming. "Dont think too much about it. He is now king. He has alot he has to do. And until we are queen we cant be with him all the time. Soon we will be inseparable and ruling by his side." I respond to her. She just huffs and sinks down deep in the back of my mind sulking.

I raise my head up high as I know that I'm now being looked up to by the coven since I'm officially the next queen. I step off the stage and greet members of the coven as I make my way out of the yard to find Cameron.